The Celts worshipped nature spirits and believed in life after death. They also worshiped springs and sacrificed weapons. The Celtic calendar had thirteen months and an extra day added to the new year. In this time, day began after sunset and evening began with the dawn of darkness. Worries were heightened by the sun's weakening strength in winter. This prompted early man to light winter fires to aid the sun's journey.
Celts believed in a life after death
Celtic belief in a new life is based on the belief of the soul continuing on in the next dimension. Some believe the soul returns to the figure of the ancestral ancestor. This belief is similar to that of the Romans in underworld. Lucan, however, used the term orbis for an alternate universe. But it isn't clear if these ideas were based on fiction or facts.
Early Celts also believed in a life after death. They had little faith in ethics. They also had little idea of punishment by the gods. The Romans wrote about Celtic beliefs, and found 69 or more gods who were responsible for war. This suggests that some people would prefer a second life.
They worshipped nature spirits
Celtic people revered nature spirits, particularly those that were associated with fertility. They valued crops growing year after year and healthy cattle and sheep. Their belief in nature spirits was reflected in their religion, and many Celtic gods and goddesses were shaped like animals. The Celts were blessed with good fortune and protection because their gods were made up of the elements.
Celtic religion also valued trees. The Celtics held groves sacred, and there are evidences of trees being worshipped in parts of Ireland. Some places are named after trees, like Derry (meaning “oak-tree”) and Kildare(Cill-Dara), which both derive from a Celtic word meaning oak tree.
They gave up their weapons
One of most striking and peculiar features of Celtic religions is the fact they sacrificed their weapons. Around 150 examples of ancient Celtic weapons have been found at archaeological sites all over the globe. The weapons were often made of bronze, and they were sacrificed to a god. The Romans destroyed these temples in 124 BCE, but they are not extinct.
The Celts were polytheistic and worshiped many gods and goddesses. Some were unique to a region, while some were more widely known. The gods also loved those who would sacrifice their lives. Some were more powerful than others, such as Lugus, who represented the sun. Other goddesses were associated also with rivers and healing hot springs. Some were related to animals, like horses.
They believed in springs
The Celts had a complex belief system. They believed that all living things have sentience and spirit. They viewed the world as a multilayered, wonderful, and sometimes dangerous theatre where humans and creatures alike lived and died. Their beliefs and practices were often contradicted by scholars, so it's important to decide for yourself what they meant.
The Celts were extremely close to the natural world and often saw omens in animal behavior. They were drawn to the beauty and virility of animals and associated them with spirits. Horses and stags were admired for their speed, endurance, beauty, and beauty. They loved dogs, and their keen sense of smell.
They worshipped effigies
As a way of showing their devotion to their gods, the Celts worshipped effigies. Some made large figures from sticks and filled them up with live men. These effigies were also set ablaze by other Celts to pay homage to the gods. Romans prohibited these practices.
Celts believed that supernatural beings existed, and included fairies. The belief was that the souls of the dead could be reincarnated and transferred from one body into another. This belief is reflected by the Celtic mythology of fairies.